Latin bass maestro talks Timba and dives into the writing of “The Latin Bass Book”
Exclusive video interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
January 7, 2016
By David Sands
You might say Oscar Stagnaro helped write the book on Latin bass. With Chuck Sher, he’s the co-author of The Latin Bass Book: A Practical Guide, the most comprehensive book ever written on how to play in Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Caribbean, Latin Jazz & South American bass traditions. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg for the Peruvian-born bassist, author and educator. He’s also a six-time Grammy winner, has played bass with Cuban jazz saxophonist and clarinetist Paquito D’Rivera since the early 90s and performed with the likes of Rosa Passos, Eva Ayllón, Leny Andrade, and Zambo Cavero. Stagnaro has also been a faculty member at the Berklee College of Music for more than three decades and is currently the director of the Boston music school’s Assocation of Latin Faculty. In addition to his classic book on Latin Bass, he’s also the author of Afro-Cuban Slap Bass Lines and Essential Grooves For Writing, Performing and Producing Contemporary Music.
During a recent visit to Berklee, FBPO’s Jon Liebman had a chance to catch up with Stagnaro about the writing of The Latin Bass Book, his first experience playing a five-strings on stage, and his Bass & Vivo events.
Watch our interview with Oscar!
